"Fashion design is the way I celebrate the female form." - Bernie Dexter

Born Bernadette Belle my brother & sisters started calling me Bernie the day my mother brought me home from the hospital. My mother is from Oklahoma City and became a burlesque dancer at age of 17, my father is from the Philippine Islands and was in the US Navy . As young as five, I would stand by my mother's side to watch her transformation from girl next door to this vixen. I was fascinated with her. I always tried on her high heel shoes when she would leave the room.

When I was not studying my mom, I was fascinated with the family film festival. Ginger Rogers tap dancing was so inspiring and so glamorous. at five years old I begged my mom for tap dance lessons & continued for 10 years. I was signed up for my first beauty pageant 12 years old & they were great for learning poise. I continued in pageant circuit until I was 18. That was the year I won 'Miss Teen San Diego County U.S.A. 1988. & went to Miss Teen California U.S.A. where I was placed in the top 15.

In 1991, I moved to Hollywood to try and model. I was signed with an agency right away, but found it impossible to get work. It was different back then; there was no internet so people could not really see what I was capable of. If i could not be in front of the camera, I was would be happy being behind it, so I decided to go to cosmetology school. I found it was easy for me to pick up hair dressing. The next thing I know, I am doing all my friend's hair & makeup before we would go out to night clubs.



My first job after the schooling was in a salon on Melrose. I loved it so much! At this time, I discovered the rockabilly scene. The music and dancing, and of course the fashion style are all so exciting to me. I did find it difficult to make friends on the scene, so I would just go to shows alone & dance with whoever asked.

One of the people i did meet told me about a make up artist position with M.A.C. Cosmetics. I was so lucky as I got the best make up training there! After 1 1/2 years, I decided to freelance. I was working on shoots with Octovio of Winky Tiki & Danielle Bedics both pinup style photographers. I was doing hair, make up, and wardrobe. I have worked on some of the most beautiful women in the world like Dita Von Teese, Holly Madison, and many more! One night Danielle Bedics needed a test model and I volunteered. I submitted the photos to a pin up contest on the web and tons of Job offers came flooding in. One of the very first was with What Katie Did, and has helped promote me since the very beginning. It's been like a whirlwind.

I am inspired the golden age of glamor to the Bizarre & Exotique,

I really enjoy the art work of John Willie and Olivia De Berardinis who are my favorite artist.

I love champagne & potato chips, favorite color red and baby blue, I love tight lacing Corsets, high heels, wearing stockings and garterbelts, opera gloves, bullet bras, rockabilly music, old films, thrift shops & antique stores . I Love my collection of reproduction Exotique books. People who inspire me Olivia, who gave me the encouragement to keep modeling, Love of my life Levi Dexter, Mom, Immodesty Blaize, Poison Ivy, Ginger Rogers, Jean Harlow, Anne Miller, Anne Margaret, and Myna Loy.